EDITORIAL:

WHY ARAFAT WANTED SHARON AS PRIME MINISTER

Jerusalem-----...........Life and politics in the Middle-East are among the most complex equations on Earth. But all equations have simplistic roots. Why would Yasser Arafat want to have Ariel Sharon as Israel's Prime Minister? Sounds crazy? Yes, perhaps - if you are in the habit of judging all elements by their surface - the old "judging a book by it's cover" thing.

PLO Chairman Yassar Arafat is a survivor. He is alive and breathing as you read this article. In his old terrorist and radical youthful days, he would never sleep in the same place two nights in a row. He cared for his life in the most meticulous manner. And he still does! What would Arafat have to gain by signing a peace agreement with Israel. He already knows of existing death threats by Hamas and Hibullah, why then incur the wrath of his own Fatah movement? Arafat, has developed a good relationship with the Director of the CIA - was that relationship based for and on the security of his people or the Israeli public or was it to gain personal protection by the CIA against deadly assassination. Why go the same route as Rabin and Sadat! "Arafat the Survivor" became more of a reality than the Arafat - a partner in the "peace of the brave".

The actual ballot slips used in today's election.
Ehud Barak (left) and Ariel Sharon (right).

So many people ask why are Israelis voting for Ariel Sharon when he has made so many tactical mistakes (i.e. - Lebanon). When the Arabs do not want to talk to this man and see his election as a vote by the Israeli people as a vote for aggression and war? No one is doubting that Sharon is not intelligent and not experienced in security. But the man has signed a pact with the Devil (ultra-religous and ultra-right racist factions) to possibly become Israel's next Prime Minister. And Sharon has not displayed enough sensitivity to the Arab public as a diplomat. His fatal venture to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a trek he has every right to make as an Israeli and as a Jew, was done for his own political gain at the time against former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sharon did not think to give any notice nor show any respect to Arab sensitivities before or during this visit. We all know what has taken place since that day! If Sharon becomes Israel's next Prime Minister, we pray he exercises better judgment - that of a true diplomat and not that of a General pushing his tanks deep into enemy territory.

The majority of Israeli people were basically forced to vote for Sharon, because of Yassar Arafat's unwillingness to sign a peace agreement. Many people that this editor knows and respects are not even voting today because they are not pleased with either candidate. I hold these people in contempt, because it is not only a privilege to cast a vote in a free democracy, but it is one's obligation as a citizen of that democracy. Even so, many Israeli's feel let down by Barak for not obtaining a peace agreement. But they forget that it takes two to dance. Barak, Israel's most decorated soldier and one of the best minds that has ever served in the Office of Prime Minister, made good on his promise to get our boys out of Lebanon. And in doing so - illustrating to the world that Israel has no intention to be an occupier - where the Syrians still have their soldiers in place "protecting Lebanon"....from who?

Barak has made each and every valiant effort to find a peaceful, agonizing but rational solution to generations of regional hate, mistrust and war. Barak, Israel's most decorated soldier (yes, I am repeating myself) deserves the highest of accolades for putting the security of Israel and the region above his own political agenda. Barak was truly a partner in the "peace of the brave" - he has very little to be ashamed about and much to be proud of.

So if Barak falls from power today, it was not of his own doing - Yassar Arafat will sleep tonight safely - knowing in the eyes of his people he is still a hero for not having made peace with Israel. Barak, who enjoys taking watches apart and putting them back together, bravely took apart the Israeli political process and it was Arafat's hand that temporarily stole the "watch's spring" of peace from his people, from Israelis and the people of the Middle-East.

Arafat was never a real part of the "peace of the brave". This was only excellent public relations spin and delaying tactics. Arafat, the survivor, will continue talking peace while hiding from his own shadow at the expense of all our region's children. His biggest problem may now be with his wife Suha, who points out to him the corruption in his own administration - the Oasis Casino in Jericho which was taking in millions of dollars and not one cent going to his own people living in poverty across the street in a refugee camp.

Sleep well Yassar - you have survived yet another day!